"Kamisato Ayato's actions, though presumptuous, were the only choice in the current situation that could minimize losses."
"Furthermore, he first took all the 'infamy' upon himself, causing the remaining nobles to view him with hostility."
"Then, he seized control of the practical work of maintaining order, inventorying wealth, and appeasing the people."
"This way, no one dares to touch him, because neither I nor the guardian of fontaine can bypass him when someone is needed to get things done."
"He has made himself an indispensable part of Inazuma at this moment."
Yae Miko's pupils dilated drastically, and she nearly dropped the teacup she was holding.
Is this really my thick-headed, idiot best friend who only knows how to swing a sword and whose governing skills are abysmal?
How can she suddenly articulate such a penetrating, core-focused political analysis overnight?
She didn't have her brains beaten out by King; instead, did she open up her Ren and Du Meridians?!
Raiden Ei ignored Miko's astonished gaze. She struggled to use her hands to support herself on the ground, attempting to stand up.
Her cracked body emitted a fragmented "creak," but her eyes were resolute.
"I need to go see King."
"What?!"
Yae Miko was genuinely panicked this time, activating the 'Octogenarian Mode.' Her tail suddenly popped out with a "poof." The fluffy pink great tail instinctively started to bristle, but she frantically grabbed it, clamping it tightly between her buttocks, and her voice changed pitch.
"W-why are you going to see him again? Your injuries haven't healed yet! What if he punches you..."
"I have questions to ask him."
Raiden Ei interrupted the flustered Yae Miko, her voice calm yet undeniable.
"Very important questions, more important than my life."
Looking at Raiden Ei's figure—covered in cracks, seeming like she would fall apart any second, yet still tottering and insisting on walking out—Yae Miko gritted her teeth.
"Wait! I'm coming with you!"
She rushed forward and supported Ei's arm, even though her own legs felt a little weak.
There was nothing she could do; after all, this was her family's idiot Deity.
She chose her best friend; she has to spoil her even if it kills her... The morning sun rose, gilding the sea surface.
justice was quietly moored at the Ritou Dock, like a sleeping Steel Behemoth.
Inside King's exclusive cabin, on the soft large bed, he was fast asleep.
Although yesterday's repeated 'lectures' didn't consume much of his physical strength, the mental exhaustion was real.
He just wanted to sleep in.
"Knock, knock, knock."
A gentle yet persistent knocking sound rang out.
King frowned, turned over, and covered his ears with a pillow.
"Knock, knock, knock."
The knocking continued, neither fast nor slow, showing great patience.
"..."
King suddenly opened his eyes, his fierce face clearly displaying "mental exhaustion."
He stared at the ceiling for three seconds, sighed resignedly, and threw off the blanket to sit up.
"Enter."
The cabin door was silently pushed open a crack, and Lynette slipped in without a sound.
She was wearing a neat Maid Outfit, her cat ears stood up alertly, and her face held the standard Three-No Expression.
"Lord King, the Raiden Shogun of Inazuma and the Guuji Yae are requesting an audience on the deck."
King rubbed his brow, feeling his temples throbbing again.
He returned after handling the Yashiro Commission late last night.
He had only slept for two hours.
Why did this Country Girl come running here so early in the morning?
Won't they let people sleep?!
"Got it."
He put on his blue trench coat, casually ran his fingers through his hair, and walked out.
On the deck, the morning breeze was cool.
Raiden Ei stood there, wearing a Purple Kimono. Her face was pale, but her back was perfectly straight.
Yae Miko was pressed tightly against her, one hand seemingly offering support, but in reality, she was mostly hiding behind Ei, only poking out half her head and a pair of eyes filled with nervousness. The large pink tail was tightly wrapped around her waist, as if to provide more security.
Seeing King appear, Yae Miko visibly flinched.
Raiden Ei, however, took a step forward and nodded slightly: "I have something I want to discuss with you."
King looked at her and nodded.
Lynette had, at some point, brought over a small table and two chairs, and even a pot of steaming hot tea, placing them quietly beside King. She then retreated a short distance, hands down, eyes lowered, acting as if she didn't exist.
Raiden Ei did not sit down. She looked directly into King's eyes, getting straight to the point, and posed a question that seemed to freeze the morning sea breeze:
"King, it is impossible for an existence like you to appear out of thin air in Teyvat."
"Your power already exceeds the scope reachable by a Archon."
"You are not from Fontaine, are you?"
She paused, her purple eyes sharp as knives, seemingly intent on cutting through all pretense:
"No... more accurately, you are not a person of Teyvat at all, are you?"
"Pfft—!"
Lynette, who was silently reciting the thirty-seventh rule of The Maid's Self-Cultivation—"When the Master receives guests, one must be elegant and silent, like the background"—had her pale purple cat eyes instantly widen upon hearing this. The ears on top of her head shot straight up with a "swish," and her entire body froze.
What did I just hear?!
Am I allowed to hear this?!!!
Will I be silenced later for knowing too much?!
Lynette maintained her Three-No Expression on the surface, but her mind was in chaos. The tip of her tail began to tremble uncontrollably as she frantically considered whether jumping into the sea for survival would be faster, or if pretending to faint would be a safer way to get through it.
King didn't show much reaction, only the corner of his eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly.
He walked to the small table and sat down, picked up the hot tea Lynette had poured, blew on it, and slowly took a sip.
He didn't say yes, nor did he say no.
He neither admitted nor denied it.
This near-default silence made the atmosphere even more delicate.
Raiden Ei looked at his reaction, and her suspicion grew firmer.
She continued speaking, her tone steady but carrying a hint of inquiry:
"Last night... I looked through recent issues of The Steambird."
"The records about you only go back a few months."
"You appeared in Fontaine like a shooting star, quelled numerous crises, and gained widespread support."
King put down his teacup, lightly tapped his finger on the tabletop, and looked up at her:
"So? What are you trying to say?"
Raiden Ei took a deep breath—although the action was unnecessary for a Puppet Body, she did it anyway—"What I want to say is..."
King watched her, waiting for her to continue.
Did she want to delve into his origins? Or question his motives?
Raiden Ei stepped forward, ignoring Yae Miko desperately pulling on her sleeve from behind, and uttered that earth-shattering request:
"I want to invite you to become the King of Inazuma."
Yae Miko: "Ying ying ying!!!" (Fox Brain Explosion)
Lynette: "Meow meow meow??? (Cat Brain Overload)"
Big Fool Paimon, who had just woken up, rubbing her eyes and groggily floating out of the cabin looking for breakfast:
"...Huh? Making balls? Is anyone making meatballs to eat?"
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"